Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 65: Snowpoint Lessons

The morning after Piplup accepted his Everstone, Sandalstraw Town felt brighter than the snow outside should have allowed.

Contest banners snapped along the street, blue and gold against the winter sky. Coordinators hurried between the Pokémon Center and Contest Hall, carrying cases, brushing partners, and whispering last-minute plans as if the whole town had become a dressing room.

Dawn stood near the Pokémon Center doors with Piplup in her arms. The Everstone rested against his chest on a small cord Nurse Joy had helped tie safely. Piplup held it with both wings, proud without looking trapped by it.

Piplup's meaning came bright and certain. "I am still me. Today, I stand as me."

Dawn could not hear the exact words, but I think she understood the shape of them. She smiled down at him, softer than she had yesterday.

"You look great," Dawn said. "Not because of the stone. Because you chose it."

Piplup puffed out his chest with a happy cry.

Kenny walked up with his Prinplup beside him, already wearing that confident look that made Dawn's eye twitch.

"Ready for the Contest, Dee-Dee?" Kenny asked.

Dawn pointed at him. "One day, you are going to say my name like a normal person."

Kenny grinned. "Maybe after I win."

Lillie laughed quietly while I checked my Contest pass. This would be my last Ribbon if I won. Five Ribbons meant the Grand Festival path was complete, and even with Snowpoint waiting ahead, that thought made my heart beat faster.

Pikachu sat on my shoulder, watching the Contest Hall doors.

His meaning sparked warmly. "Battles have stages too. This one just shines more."

"Then let's shine properly," I said.

The waiting room carried the strange mix of nerves and perfume that every Contest seemed to create. Coordinators practiced hand motions in corners, Pokémon warmed up carefully, and the staff kept reminding everyone not to block the hallway.

Dawn brushed a few snowflakes from Piplup's head even though they had melted already. "You can watch from the side today. No pressure."

Piplup shook his head and pointed proudly toward the stage doors.

Dawn hesitated. "You want to be with me backstage?"

Piplup nodded hard enough that the Everstone bounced against his chest.

His meaning came clear and stubborn. "Not hiding. Choosing."

Dawn breathed out, then smiled. "Okay. We choose together."

Kenny watched them from a few steps away. For once, he did not tease immediately.

"That stone suits him," Kenny said.

Dawn narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Was that a real compliment?"

"Do not look so shocked," Kenny said. "I can manage one per Contest."

I looked at Ambipom's Poké Ball and Froslass's. Ambipom had the battle-round energy, but Froslass still felt like the right partner for the performance. After the Battle Hall, she knew how to turn a stage into something quiet and powerful.

The fifth Ribbon felt close enough to touch, but that made me more careful, not less. If I rushed because the goal was near, I could waste every lesson the previous Contests had given me.

Lillie noticed my hand pause between the two Poké Balls.

"Froslass for the opening?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said. "She earned a stage that is not only about surviving."